Introduction: What Drew Me to Language-Learning

To be born in India is to be of necessity multilingual. English and Hindi are the official languages, but even discounting regional dialects and scripts India has 120+ languages. Different states have different languages. My mother tongue, for example, is Bengali, spoken primarily in the state of West Bengal. I have therefore grown up speaking three languages. In recent years, though, I have added three more.

I have always wanted to be a polyglot. I do not know why, but I admire those who fluently speak more than one language. As the saying goes, to have another language is to have another soul. Each language has gaps. In Bengali, for instance, there is no W. So, when Bengalis write in Bengali the English name for their state, they write the Bengali equivalent of ‘O-est Bengal’. Another example is schadenfreude. There was no English word to describe the joy derived from others’ misfortune. But there was in German.

Language is the gateway to culture. I speak six languages: Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, English, German, and Spanish. Which means I can watch movies in six languages without having to rely upon subtitles. Although for Spanish and German those days are far, far off. I am a beginner in those languages. But I do understand some comments and lines, and each such instance instils in me a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Speaking more languages helps one connect with more people and more cultures. Besides, speaking multiple languages makes people think one is brainy, and no harm has ever come from people thinking one is brainy. For these reasons I have recently intensified my language-learning efforts, particularly for Spanish and German, and have noticed firsthand several of the benefits outlined below. Which made me curious: what exactly are the psychological benefits of learning a new language?

A Sharper Mind and Longer Life: The Cognitive Benefits

In 2014 was published a study spanning almost seven decades. The lead researcher tested 853 participants in 1947, when they were eleven, and again in 2008 and 2010, when they were in their early seventies. He discovered those who became bilingual outperformed their monolingual counterparts in general intelligence and reading. The study proved it is never too late to learn a new language.

Another Original Postnas.0811323106" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">study measured infants exposed to two languages from birth against those exposed to one, and discovered the former displayed better cognitive control abilities than the latter, being able to ignore distractions and remain focused more easily. One possible reason for this is the flexibility of the brain’s language centers, which helps develop new areas of the mind and strengthens the brain’s focus. Essentially, language-learning exercises parts of the brain otherwise unused.

Bilinguals are associated with greater empathy and a global mindset, although causation — whether learning languages promotes a global mindset or whether those with a global mindset are more drawn to language-learning — remains unclear. Different languages offer insights into the culture they represent, thus presenting the learner with different points of view upon the same issue. This breeds a wider worldview.

Multilingualism strengthens cognitive reserve, i.e., the brain’s ability to harness its resources to delay cognitive decline in old age. The brain is composed of neurons and dendrites, collectively known as gray matter. Bilinguals have denser gray matter, in addition to increased white matter integrity, white matter being the system of nerve fibers connecting the four lobes of the brain. The combined effect is a boosted cognitive reserve.

Lastly, bilinguals exhibit greater creativity and flexibility when solving problems. Taken together, the cognitive benefits of becoming bilingual are awesome: not only does the person gain intelligence, attention, and memory, they also become more resistant to cognitive decline in old age, which, although being ultimately inconclusive, one study touted as being instrumental against diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. This translates into a longer, cognitively healthier life.

Self-Confidence and Alleviated Depression: The Emotional/Mental Health Benefits

Multilingualism is a skill, mastery over which, like any other skill, promotes self-confidence. One feels good when one is able to accomplish something. Whenever I read YouTube comments and one is in Spanish and I understand it, I feel elated. Because it is a tangible result. Life is fluid. It is often impossible to measure success in life. But with language-learning, the test is simple and definite: do you understand the comment or do you not?

Language-learning is also a hobby, and like all hobbies, it keeps you occupied. Keeping occupied provides structure and clarity. The mind gains something to focus upon other than the miseries of life. This is particularly helpful for those suffering mild depression, as, while waiting out the blues, the mind remains occupied. Now, whenever I get a free moment, I return to learning German and Spanish. My days have attained continuity.

Anecdotal evidence confirms this and adds that language-learning facilitates communication. Being able to speak Spanish is a guaranteed ice-breaker with others who also speak Spanish. Language-learning exposes us to new expressions, ideas, and people. We are able to form worldwide connections — without knowing English, I would never have had the chance to belong to this wonderful community — without ever leaving our home.

Bilinguals are reportedly more progressive and open-minded than monolinguals. One study asked a classroom of children whether a duck raised by a dog would bark or quack. Bilinguals answered bark while monolinguals chose quack, revealing, even as children, bilinguals placed greater emphasis upon nurture than nature. Again, causation remains dicey — are bilinguals more open to new ideas, or are those open to new ideas open to adding languages to their repertoire?

Interestingly, I would have answered bark as well, which upsets me, because I hate the idea somebody who has never met me could predict my answer based upon how many languages I speak. Also, apropos of nothing, there is a known feeling of unease, worry, and apprehension people feel when learning or using foreign languages, which is known as xenoglossophobia. Every day is a school day.

Regardless, the combined effect of these mental health benefits spells doom for depression and, to a limited extent, anxiety. Who knows, perhaps there is a girl you like, and when she hears you speaking German, she reveals she also speaks German, and while exchanging notes and opinions and marveling at the serendipity of fate she falls for you and boom, two years later you are married with kids and live happily ever after.

Could happen. Not to me, never to me, but could happen.

Closing Thoughts: The Best Language and Platform to Get You Started

I am assuming most of my readers are British and American. I feel Spanish is the perfect foreign language for a Western tongue: simple yet sophisticated, widely spoken, and mellifluous. Spanish sounds beautiful and pronouncing each syllable feels beautiful. Due to its popularity, perhaps many of you already speak Spanish. Might I then suggest Italian? It is similar in construction and equally euphonious.

German is another fun and useful language to learn. Despite how the German language must sound to many, it is actually remarkably accessible once one gets the hang of the different cases. It is also, for the most part, logical. Once one learns German one realizes how vague and open-ended the English language is comparatively. Of course, one needs to also know where to learn these languages.

I suggest Duolingo. I am being paid nothing for suggesting Duolingo, either now or in the future. It is merely my personal choice. I use it, and have for years. It has evolved since then and is now a viable alternative to traditional courses. It helps one sharpen all three language components: read, spoken, and written. I use the paid version, but the free package is quite sufficient for casual/ beginner learners.

There is also an app called Babbel, and while I personally have never used it, I have heard great things. There is also good old YouTube, which contains a wealth of videos upon a wealth of languages. Should you decide upon learning German, I recommend two channels: for absolute beginners, Get Germanized, and for anything beyond, Natürlich German which narrates every video exclusively in German, but makes it easy to understand by using comprehensible input.

Remember, one need not master the language. The mere effort is enough for the benefits to manifest. Happy learning!